Parkes joined in the celebrations on VP Day. This decorated truck of James Aitken for the Parkes Legion of Ex-Servicemen was part of the festivities. (Photo: Parkes In Photos Of Years Gone Past Facebook page)

The 75th anniversary since the end of World War II will be celebrated at the Cooke Park Cenotaph at 11am tomorrow.

Parkes Town Crier Tim Keith will join town crier’s from around Australia and New Zealand in a simultaneous “Cry for Peace” at 11:05am. This will be the first time the Town Crier will be part of the ceremony.

These celebrations mark a significant and momentous day when Prime Minister Ben Chifley announced the unconditional surrender of Japan thus ending World War II. The 15th of August 1945 was announced as VP Day (Victory in the Pacific Day) and a two-day public holiday was declared.

Japanese Emperor Hirohito announced at 12 noon on 15th August his country’s unconditional surrender in terms of the Potsdam Declaration.

More than 1 million Australian men and women joined the armed forces out of a total population of 7 million.

Over 31,000 Australians became prisoners-of-war. More than 22,000 were captured by the Japanese, and by August 1945 over one third of them had died in the appalling conditions of the Japanese POW camps.

We commemorate the end of the World War II and remember all those who served and particularly the heroic sons and daughters of the Parkes Districts who served, suffered and died during this conflict.

By Paul Thomas

Parents and other supervisors of local learner drivers can attend a free online workshop next week for practical advice and information about completing the 120 hours of supervised driving.

The are two time slots for the ‘Helping Learner Drivers Become Safer Drivers’ workshop scheduled for Wednesday, 19th August at 6pm and Thursday, 20th August at 12.30pm. The estimated run time is around 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Council’s Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said while the usual face to face workshops weren’t possible due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, the online delivery would hopefully make it easier for participants to attend.

“Parents and supervisors of learner drivers have a crucial role to play in making our roads safer. That is why we have teamed up with Transport for NSW and councils across the Western Region for these two free work- shops via Zoom.”

“The workshop covers the licencing system, how to use the Learner Driver Logbook including the use of digital logbooks, licence conditions for learner and P-plate drivers, the benefits of on-road driving sessions, tips on supervising a learner driver and more.”

“Parents and supervisors who have attended in the past have found it boosted their confidence, and helped them to better plan driving sessions,” Melanie said.

Bookings are essential and can be made online via Eventbrite, through the Council’s Facebook pages or by calling Melanie on 6861 2364.

CSIRO’s Parkes radio telescope shortly after its completion in 1961. (Photo: CSIRO)

The iconic Parkes Radio Telescope scooped another first to its long list of achievements when it was added to the National Heritage List on Monday.

As the first functioning scientific instrument to be added to the National Heritage List, this honour gives official recognition to The Dish for its contribution to Australian astronomy and humankind’s understanding of the Universe.

“This is great news,” said Operations Scientist John Sarkissian. “The CSIRO’s Parkes Telescope is the most successful scientific instrument in Australia’s history, and it is still at the forefront of world radio astronomy, making great discoveries that are shaping our understanding of the Universe and our place within it.”

John said the listing would enable the CSIRO to plan confidently for the future of the telescope and the work they do there. “It also means that the CSIRO will continue to operate it as a working radio telescope.”

Parkes Mayor Ken Keith OAM, said the Parkes community was very proud of the telescope. “It holds a special place in all of our hearts. It has attracted an array of talented staff throughout its years, embedding a base of scientific and intellectual knowledge and culture within our region which has in turn further stimulated a scientific interest within the broader community and inspired our young citizens.” He said Parkes’ representation in the hit Australian movie The Dish enhanced Australia’s interest in the telescope as the story portrayed the key role it played in receiving the television signals from the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon and sharing this technological feat with 600 million people around the world.

CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Larry Marshall said the Parkes radio telescope was an icon of Australian science and innovation. “While the telescope may be old enough to qualify for the National Heritage List, it continues to operate as one of the world’s leading astronomy instruments.”

Charlie and Brydee Taunton showing off their recipe new Cook book.

A ‘delicious’ new book is set to take the culinary fame started by Trundle’s Bush Tucker Day to the next level.

The Parents and Friends committee (P&F) of St Patrick’s Parish School in Trundle has launched its highly anticipated recipe book called Cook.

It is a beautifully designed, full-colour recipe book, containing more than 215 recipes. It is the work of some of the best cooks in rural Australia, with contributions from St Patrick’s students (past and present), parents, grandparents, teachers, community members and local cooks.

The recipes are drawn from the inherited culinary wisdom passed down from generation to generation of country chefs. The recipes range from Asian Breakfast Soup to Marinara Linguine; Marshmallow Jelly Cake to Pear and Hazelnut Cheesecake; Condensed Milk Pikelets to Fig Jam.

There’s even a recipe for Camel Curry. Filled with ‘mouthwatering’ photographs, and drawings by some of the school’s 33 students, the book also has advice on how to keep backyard chickens and growing vegetables.

“Cooking and sharing recipes is at the very heart of country life,” says P& F President Kate Berry. “Many friendships have been forged, and memories made, over a cup of tea and scones, or a steaming bowl of soup at school events.”

While COVID-19 has put a stop to a proper launch celebration for the book, nothing can take away from the pleasure of the book itself.

All proceeds will directly benefit the students. To order a copy of the book at $30, email stpatscook2020@gmail.com or pop into the school office.

The $1,000 prize for the best float in the Parkes Elvis Festival parade this year went to the Parkes Dragon Boat Club (PDBC). The prize is sponsored by Northparkes Mines (NPM). The Potts Group helped PDBC build the winning float. PDBC President Bill Thomas (second left) received the prize last week from NPM MD Hubert Lehman (right) with Parkes Mayor Ken Keith (left) and David Potts.

Parkes Weighbridge Operator Abigail Bryant believes the new waste disposal vouchers provide a more convenient and efficient system.

A new waste disposal voucher system for households in Parkes and Peak Hill will replace free tip weekends.

At the July Ordinary Council Meeting, Councillors resolved to provide two vouchers per household per year to dispose of up to a trailer load of domestic waste for free.

“The new initiative will allow residents to utilise the waste vouchers at a time that is convenient for them,” said Chair of the Waste Committee, Cr Alan Ward. “It will also benefit the facility’s operational efficiency, safety and environmental performance, as our staff will be able to better manage the inspection of loads and categorisation of the materials.”

Two vouchers will be mailed to property owners in Parkes and Peak Hill with the first instalment rates notices at the start of each financial year.

The vouchers will be valid for one year, and expire on 31st July following year of issue. Landlords and managing agents are encouraged to pass the vouchers onto their tenants to ensure that they can best manage their household waste and keep the property in good order. New domestic properties or new owners or new tenants will receive their first waste voucher at the next scheduled mail out of rates notice in August. Vouchers will not be issued before that time.

Each waste voucher permits the user to dispose of up to one eligible trailer load of general household waste or uncontaminated green waste at no cost. Two vouchers may be redeemed at once for a double load. Vouchers are not transferable or redeemable for cash, and cannot be reissued. Please keep your vouchers in a safe place.

The annual Kerbside Bulky Goods Collection will continue each September for Parkes and the Shire townships.